Airmar
Airmar's tilted-element paired transducers designed for fast deep-V hulls are available in 50- and 200-kHz frequencies. On the 200-kHz side, an optional wide beam makes up the SS270W tilted-element pair, while a narrow beam comprises the SS260 tilted-element pair. Those with existing B260 installations can install the 200-kHz wide-beam transducer and also purchase a narrow/wide-beam switch box, which can toggle between the two beams. Expect a price of $1,500 per pair (available as individual units as well). Contact Airmar at 603-673-9570 or www.airmar.com.
Humminbird
Released in September 2007, the six-model 1100 series (two units of each model, available with or without preloaded Navionics Gold and Hot Maps) features large screens - 10.4 inches horizontal, 600 x 800 pixels with 1,000 watts RMS - and either in-hull or transom-mount transducers.
The units come as either advanced sonar GPS models (1197c SI Combo and 1157c Combo) or a stand-alone GPS chart plotter (1155c). The 1197c Combo features Humminbird's high-definition side-imaging technology. The 1157c Combo comes standard with DualBeam PLUS down-looking sonar.
The 1197c and 1157c SI combos include 16-channel GPS/WAAS and are capable of interfacing with other optional Humminbird modules. Retail prices for the combos include $2,799.99 (1197c SI Combo); $2,999.99 (1197c SI Combo NVB); $2,099.99 (1157c Combo); $2,299.99 (1157c Combo NVB). The 1155c chart plotter costs $1,999.99; the 1155c chart plotter NVB retails for $2,199.99. Contact Humminbird at 800-633-1468 or www.humminbird.com.
Interphase
The Interphase VGA-7 includes a wide, sunlight-viewable color display with integral keypad for use with its Black Box, forward-looking SE-200 Sonar Engine ($2,499). Interphase designed the unit for those wanting a dedicated, weather-resistant display; it operates as an optional primary or remote control/display for the SE-200 Sonar Engine. The VGA-7 comes in bracket-mount or in-dash versions. A cable splitter allows for two-screen options. Standard VGA cables extend the length for longer runs. The small 9.5 x 5.9 x 3.3-inch display (W x H x D) retails for $999.95 with a 6-foot power cable and 10-foot VGA/keypad cable for connection to the SE-200. Contact Interphase Technologies at 831-477-4944 or www.interphase-tech.com.
Lowrance
The Broadband Sounder-1 is a fish finder/transducer and Ethernet-based optimizer that is compatible with all of Lowrance's 2007 models that have 5-inch and larger color displays and five-pin yellow Ethernet connectors, including all LCX and LMS models. The Broadband Sounder-1 works with all compatible Lowrance transducers - skimmer, pod, shoot- or bolt-thru-hull - and accommodates all transducer-frequency ranges: 50 kHz, 83 kHz and 200 kHz. The enhanced digital Broadband Sounder-1 features a nominal output power of 31 watts RMS, with an analog output power equivalent of 3,750 watts RMS. An optional expansion port offers multiple screen use. The retail price is $599. Contact Lowrance at 800-324-1356 or www.lowrance.com.
